AVES ISLAND. 381 



would "be still disposed to refer the question of damages to our legation 

 in Caraccas, where it seems most appropriately to belong. An at- 

 tempt at this time to transfer the subject to Washington, would 

 obviously tend to occasion further delay in a case which has already 

 been protracted to an unreasonable extent. 



In committing this subject in this shape to you, it is earnestly hoped 

 that you will be enabled, without further delay, to bring it to a satis- 

 factory termination. 



I am, sir, your obedient servant, 



LEWIS CASS. 



Charles Eaimes, Esq., (&c. 



Mr. Shelton to Mr. Cass. 



Boston, December 17, 1857. 

 Sir: A report has reached us, and we have reason to suppose it is 

 true, that F. Copeland, of this city, has presented a claim for spolia- 

 tion or ejectment at Aves Island, in behalf of himself and others. We 

 wish to state distinctly to you, that neither Mr. Copeland nor any one 

 connected with him, had any men employed on Aves Island during its 

 occupation by us, nor any vessel or vessels ejected from thence by any 

 officials of Venezuela; of this fact we shall be able to give the most 

 ample proofs shouJd your department deem it necessary. 



The claim, if such has been made, is entirely without foundation in 

 fact, nor can we comprehend the object of said claimants, unless it be 

 to injure or embarrass us in obtaining our rights. 

 We are, with much respect, your obedient servants, 



PHILO 8. SHELTON. 

 SAMPSON & TAPPAN. 

 Gen. Lewis Cass, 



Secretary of State, Washington, D. 0. 



Mr. Cass to Mr. Briceno. 



Department of State, 

 Washington, February 24, 1858. 



Sir : The necessary delay in translating the extended communica- 

 tion from the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Venezuela, which reached 

 this department a few days before your arrival here, and which re- 

 ferred to the Aves Island claim, now pending between this government 

 and that of Venezuela, has prevented an earlier attention to what was 

 understood to be the prominent subject of your mission. 



This claim was presented by the minister of the United States at 

 Caraccas in the month, of March, 1855, and after full discussion there, 

 which was duly reported to this department, the deliberate views of 

 this government concerninai: it were communicated to him in a dis- 



